I know it's over a year old, but this seems to be the most informative thread on TLS about tattoos and legal employment.

I'm positive I'll be able to keep my forearm tattoo hidden during my (prospective) future career as a prosecutor--there aren't too many occasions I can envision where I'll be required to wear a t-shirt to work.

But judging from what some previous posters have said, it seems that you can't be a (male) lawyer without being forced to wear polo shirts, play golf, and attend lame company picnics. All of these things violate my personal code of ethics. (For the record, I'm also against khaki pants, yellow/pink/purple dress shirts, and grown men wearing shorts other than during athletic activities.) Am I screwed?

Sleeves are no longer allowed, but you can have a tattoo that is exposed in the standard PT uniform (shorts and a T-shirt) provided that its size does not exceed that of "the wearer’s hand with fingers extended and joined and the thumb touching the base of the index finger." (Not that I plan on enlisting, but I'd still be ok.)

I have 7 tattoos and the only ones not on my back/hidden areas is one on the inside of my lower arm, and a really small one on my inner ankle. The firm I work for noticed my arm tattoo during the 2nd interview (this is FL, no way am I wearing long sleeves) and he said that since it was simple and not very colorful he would over look it, and they obv hired me.... I keep a thick bracelet in one of my drawers that I can pull up over it if needed. I'm not going to get it removed or anything, but I doubt I will be getting any more visible ones. If it is hidden by a short sleeved shirt and shorts, though, I think you're okay....

When I got my tattoo, I made location an absolute priority. The wisdom of a friend's mom (for women): You need to be able to attend both a cocktail party and a tennis match with your boss without it showing. Mine is on my side, and it's covered no matter what without me even having to think about it. If you want a tattoo, get it, but be smart about where, especially for women. This seems sexist, but its true: A lot of older men really don't like tattoos on women.

devilpolo12 wrote:When I got my tattoo, I made location an absolute priority. The wisdom of a friend's mom (for women): You need to be able to attend both a cocktail party and a tennis match with your boss without it showing. Mine is on my side, and it's covered no matter what without me even having to think about it. If you want a tattoo, get it, but be smart about where, especially for women. This seems sexist, but its true: A lot of older men really don't like tattoos on women.

devilpolo12 wrote:When I got my tattoo, I made location an absolute priority. The wisdom of a friend's mom (for women): You need to be able to attend both a cocktail party and a tennis match with your boss without it showing. Mine is on my side, and it's covered no matter what without me even having to think about it. If you want a tattoo, get it, but be smart about where, especially for women. This seems sexist, but its true: A lot of older men really don't like tattoos on women.

Yeah... I've been thinking about getting one there as well, seems like the best place for women (non-tramp stamp but can be easily covered up). I just haven't been able to decide on what I want to get... putting it off until I know for sure.

Before my present internship I would have said "dont do it. you will likely be judged and it looks unprofessional" but I'm interning at a PDs office and there are female attorneys with ankle tattoos, one that has it on her side (can be visible if you raise your arm), and another senior attorney who has tattoos down both arms. So I'm guessing it doesn't matter as much.

i am heavily tattooed and it has never been a problem. I wear long sleeves to work. no one knows I am tattooed, and if they do know (like if they've peered through one of my white shirts intensely), they havent said anything. I like to think that my bosses are mature enough to realize that subdermal art is not going to affect my lawyering ability.

I have a tattoo on my for-arm. I'm going to get another one on my other for-arm by the time law school is over. Interviews, work, formal events = long sleeve shirts. By the time i'm at an event where i'd want to be short sleeves at work, i wouldn't care what anyone thinks. It hasn't been a problem. If you are scared don't get one.